AN39.1-2 | Tongue — Glossary

V-shaped groove on the dorsal tongue separating the anterior two-thirds from the posterior one-third; the foramen caecum lies at its apex

Pit at the apex of the sulcus terminalis marking the embryological origin of the thyroglossal duct and thyroid gland descent

8-12 large papillae arranged in a row along the sulcus terminalis; contain taste buds supplied by CN IX; surrounded by moats with von Ebner's gland secretions

Mushroom-shaped papillae scattered on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; contain taste buds supplied by CN VII; visible as small red spots

Most numerous tongue papillae in parallel rows on the anterior two-thirds; provide touch/texture sensation but contain no taste buds

Largest extrinsic tongue muscle from the mental spine of the mandible; primary protrusor; supplied by CN XII; bilateral paralysis causes tongue to fall back obstructing the airway

Only tongue muscle NOT supplied by CN XII; supplied by CN X via the pharyngeal plexus; forms the anterior pillar of the fauces

Branch of the ECA entering between hyoglossus and genioglossus; primary blood supply of the tongue; bilateral ligation needed in surgery

Terminal branch of the lingual artery running to the tip along the inferior surface; visible as a pulsating vessel under the thin mucosa

Sentinel lymph node for tongue carcinoma located where the omohyoid crosses the IJV; enlarged in tongue cancer

Pure motor nerve supplying all intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles except palatoglossus; exits via the hypoglossal canal in the occipital bone

Branch of CN V3 carrying general sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; also carries chorda tympani taste fibres; at risk during wisdom tooth extraction

Branch of CN VII carrying taste fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; joins the lingual nerve in the infratemporal fossa

In LMN CN XII palsy, the tongue deviates toward the lesion on protrusion; in UMN palsy, it deviates away from the cortical lesion

Most common oral cancer in India; lateral tongue border is the commonest site; strongly associated with tobacco and betel nut use

Lymphoid tissue on the posterior one-third of the tongue; part of Waldeyer's lymphatic ring

Flat extrinsic tongue muscle from the hyoid bone; key anatomical landmark with the lingual artery passing deep to it and CN XII superficial to it

Fibrous partition dividing the tongue into right and left halves; clinically important as tongue carcinoma crossing the midline requires bilateral neck dissection

Rapidly spreading cellulitis of the floor of the mouth displacing the tongue posteriorly; airway obstruction is the cause of death

Inflammation of the tongue causing smooth, red, painful tongue; seen in iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and folate deficiency

Tongue-tie; abnormally short lingual frenulum restricting tongue protrusion; may impair breastfeeding in neonates